IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians’ strongest predicted XI against Rajasthan Royals

The Mumbai Indians (MI) play their final game of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season when they take on the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, May 24, as part of a double header.

The five-time champions have had yet another disappointing campaign. Regardless of the result on Sunday, Hardik Pandya’s side can finish no higher than ninth in the points table. As things stand, MI are second bottom in the standings, with a mere eight points from 13 matches. 

Despite their inconsistent form this season, the Mumbai-based outfit has a solid team on paper, but they have just failed to deliver. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma all came into the tournament as T20 world champions but failed to showcase their prowess in the IPL.

Here is MI’s strongest predicted XI vs RR, Match 69, IPL 2026:

Top Order: Ryan Rickelton (WK), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir

MI’s batting unit has been underwhelming all season long, but be it Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock earlier in the season, their top order has been scoring runs consistently. Rickelton has scored 436 runs at a strike-rate of 187.12 to be MI’s leading run-getter so far this season.

Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, has had an injury-ridden season, with his form dropping in the past few games. He did, however, score 84 against LSG the last time played at the Wankhede Stadium.

Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch

MI have a great core of Indian middle-order batters along with hard-hitting overseas all-rounders. Tilak Varma is the highest run-scorer amongst them all, with 356 runs to his name, which included an unbeaten century against the Gujarat Titans. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya have flattered to deceive. The duo has averaged 17.50 and 21.50 in the IPL this season.

Bowlers: Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Raghu Sharma

A lot was expected of Jasprit Bumrah this season, particularly after ending the T20 World Cup as the joint-highest wicket-taker. The right-arm pacer, however, has had one of his worst seasons in the IPL. The 32-year-old has taken just four wickets all tournament at a staggering average of 102.50. Afghanistan youngster AM Ghazanfar, who is expected to come off the substitutes bench, is MI’s leading wicket-taker this season with 14 scalps. 

MI’s predicted playing XI vs RR in Match 69, IPL 2026:

Ryan Rickelton (WK), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C), Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Raghu Sharma
 
Impact Player: AM Ghazanfar